New video: Calif. police fatally shoot armed suspect after pursuit

Officials say man who was shot and killed Sunday by police pulled out a pair of scissors during a clash before leading Sheriff's deputies on a pursuit

By Emily Alpert Reyes
Los Angeles Times

LONG BEACH, Calif. — Law enforcement officials say a man who was shot and killed Sunday afternoon by Long Beach police pulled out a pair of scissors during a clash at a Target store in Compton before leading sheriff's deputies on a chase into Long Beach, where he got out of his vehicle with a large wooden stick in hand.

Security officers first tried to detain the man at the Target on South Alameda Street for "a crime allegedly committed at the store," the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said late Sunday.

When deputies arrived to help security officers locked in a struggle with the man, he pulled out a large pair of scissors, according to a department statement. Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Crystal Hernandez said no deputies were injured in the incident.

The man then fled to his vehicle and led deputies on a chase. The Sheriff's Department pursued him into Long Beach, where Long Beach police joined in the pursuit at about 3:15 p.m., said Long Beach Police spokeswoman Sgt. Megan Zabel.

The Sheriff's Department said that the man came to a stop on the 1800 block of East Ocean Boulevard and refused commands to exit his vehicle. About 15 minutes later, he got out of the vehicle with a large wooden stick and again refused to follow commands, the department stated.

The department said it attempted to stop the man by firing a stun bag but it had no effect and the man ran away from deputies.

Long Beach police then encountered the man and shot him. He died after being taken to a nearby hospital. Zabel said she could not comment on what prompted police to fire on the suspect.

"The officers are still being interviewed and all the evidence is being collected," Zabel said.

Long Beach police personnel will investigate the shooting, according to the Sheriff's Department. The alleged crimes of the victim are under investigation by the Compton Sheriff's Station, and Sheriff's homicide detectives will investigate the use of force by deputies.